The Bungalow Club photographed in Calgary on Thursday, April 2, 2026. Robert Lee/Special to Postmedia

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A newly opened Calgary restaurant is turning to the community for help after a string of recent break-ins.

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Since opening its doors in April, Bungalow Club has reportedly been broken into five times, with the latest being on July 27. Co-owner Joel Bombenon posted a Tik-Tok video about the Monday incident, showing a broken window with shattered glass on the floor.

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In the video, Bombenon said a group had broken in and stolen a large amount, though he did not specify what nor the amount lost.

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“The thing they don’t tell you about running a small business, or anybody to the outside, is that this all comes out of my pocket,” Bombenon said in the video. “I’ve saved all my pennies to open this place and this is the fifth time we’ve been robbed like this.”

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The restaurant’s outdoor shed has also been broken into repeatedly, with Bombenon saying they now keep it open with nothing of value in it.  The video goes on to explain that these break-ins have happened in spite of having a security system, as Bombenon says they never arrive in time to stop the robberies.

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Bombenon ends the video by asking Calgarians show their support by dining at the restaurant, as the financial strain of the break-ins is not only coming from replacing the stolen goods, but repairing the damage, increasing security measures and insurance deductibles.

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He also explained that these incidents are preventing the restaurant from investing money in day-to-day operations, such as hiring more serving staff. In the video he states that the restaurant has spent tens of thousands of dollars fixing issues related to the break-ins.

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“I will do whatever I can to make sure that this team gets what they deserve, because they work their a— off,” Bombenon said in the video.

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A GoFundMe campaign was started by Bombenon shortly after the Tik-Tok video, which has already raised over $1,600 of the $2,500 goal. In the description, he says he started the campaign after he received an outpouring of love from people asking how they could support the restaurant.

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“This break-in doesn’t define Bungalow Club. It reminds me why I built it in the first place: for the people. We’ll rebuild, we’ll keep our doors open, and we’ll continue creating a place where everyone belongs,” reads the GoFundMe description. 

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Bungalow Club is located on 17th Avenue S.W. in the old La Chaumière building, serving Italian-French fusion cuisine. 

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